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Last post 9 years ago by Stainlessdoctor. 64 replies replies.
2 Pages12>
The new guy...
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
Yeah, I'm the " new guy " I'm also kinda new to cigars in general, I have make a couple of runs at it through the years but it never really stuck! I'm usually an ALL IN kinda guy on all things I do....and looking to get pointed in the right direction, yeah the whole ((shooting match)) humidor/storage, a variety of smokes to get a feel for what I like, where to buy what. Etc etc...I live in Fayetteville Arkansas, 38yrs old, I am a project engineer, I travel a lot all over the globe with my job, so also looking for best method to travel with cigars. As you can see I have a lot to figure out so I hope someone can share some links or info to get me going.

Thanks!
ZRX1200 Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
Unless you're gone for more than a week at a time don't overthink travel storage. A 15 count humi is fine but NEVER use the humidification device the traveldor will get moldy.

Coolidors are great bang for the buck (more spending money for cigars)

Use beads NOT KITTY LITTER. Cacman will kick you in the ballz.
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
I'm going to give the coolidor a go and see what happens, I ordered some beads today and a hydrometer (what are we looking for 67-70 range?) and sometimes I'm gone a couple weeks at a time, so what's thoughts for travel storage? And lighter and cutter on airline carry on is out I'm sure...so maybe in my checked bag??
bs_kwaj Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214
Start out with samplers. Full. Medium. Mild. See what you like. Just because people here say that a cigar sucks worse than anything else on the planet, doesn't make it so... if -you- like it.

Herfing
bs_kwaj Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214
Or, just jump right in and buy boxes of Padrons. You have to like Padrons or you can't smoke cigars.


Blink
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
I hear ya, every where I look I see Cohiba this bad Cohiba that...what's up with that?
ZRX1200 Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
Traveldor would still be fine just throw a boveda pack in a zip lock bag you can add it to the traveldor when NOT at altitude in the plane.

I use 65%rh
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
Thanks for the input!
Puffnstuff79 Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2014
Posts: 4,752
I've even been rolling the dice on samplers from the same brand and that's good because you can get the feel for the difference from a single brand between wrappers. A within subjects scientific experimentation. When you're new-ish to it then you're not going to find too many bad cigars unless you keep going for cheapest everything. Your palate doesn't yet know the difference and you don't quite have it all narrowed down. What's good today sucks tomorrow and the other way around too. The nic rush might make you think a cigar sucks but tomorrow you'll be like...hmmmm what was that cigar???
Puffnstuff79 Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2014
Posts: 4,752
Humidification? I have a 48 qt cooler that works great with a 12 pack of Bovedas. Some will say it's not worth it but maybe they don't know that Boveda packs are rechargeable (shhhhh)
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
Roger that....I've been a cigarette smoker for a long time but just about quit that, looking to move over to cigars, If that makes sense?!?!?
Puffnstuff79 Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2014
Posts: 4,752
Makes perfect sense to me. I did it. I started smoking cigars regularly in January of this year and had my last cig on December 4. Cigs to me are hard to be around now when I have a cigar because a little whiff and my palate goes numb
bs_kwaj Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214
I tried to become a cigarette smoker back in high school in the 70's... but I just couldn't afford it.

Applause
Puffnstuff79 Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2014
Posts: 4,752
Wasn't everything free in the 70's?
Bur Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
Start cheap (by your definition) on here, join the N00B PIB and sooner or later sign up for a vet. Pay no attention to suggestions to search "Thonginator". Really. You've been warned.

Really cheap no matter who you are-like 5ers for $3 cheap probably aren't worth it unless you really want to try sawdust or newspapery cigars. AMHIK. When even the copywriters here say a cigar is bad (Gerant's Golden Siesta, anyone?) its bad.

But imho there are plenty of good $10 or less 5ers for a newb, and some may become your "go-to" knock-about cigar when you don't want to worry about too nice a cigar or price tag.

That said, I've gotten to the point some of these vets are insinuating-I've sorted out my likes/dislikes and know why some cigars are inexpensive, some are mid-priced and yes, some are $15 and up. Also find the sizes you like-some guys are into Nubs and big azz ring gauges and others won't go above about 50 in trades or purchases. Learn to smoke more slowly-especially as a former cigarette smoker. This is a hobby, not a contest, and much cheaper than therapy!

I'd say try a few samplers too. I'm partial to LEC, Mark Twain, MoW and a few other lower priced ones. LHC Core, Oliva V, and Alec Bradley are what I'm "moving up to" and of course, Padron and Fuente....
bs_kwaj Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214
Bur wrote:
Learn to smoke more slowly- . . . . This is a hobby, not a contest, and much cheaper than therapy!


+1

Stainlessdoctor Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
"join the N00B PIB and sooner or later sign up for a vet" ?

Direction needed.....
Palama Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Aloha new guy!

I used a Tupperware and a Heartfelt 65% small tube to carry 20+ cigars with me on a 9 day trip to Las Vegas and Oregon last summer. Backpacked it as a carryon. Lighters (empty) in those TSA approved carriers and cutter in the checked-in luggage.

Small edit - 2014-10-05
TomJefferson Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 08-09-2014
Posts: 2
Never smoked cigarettes but I enjoy cigars.. Traded snacks for cigars and lost 40 lbs... I'm 67 and after 1000s of cigars still survive on samplers
TomJefferson Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 08-09-2014
Posts: 2
AnyBody hav trouble getting cigar cutters thru airport security
Palama Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Stainlessdoctor wrote:
"join the N00B PIB and sooner or later sign up for a vet" ?

Direction needed.....


To get a vet: http://www.cigarbid.com/...15/NOOB-TRADE-THREAD-44

n00b PIB: http://www.cigarbid.com/...c/posts/626198/n00b-PIB

Good luck, have fun and stick around (...easier said than done...).
bs_kwaj Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214
I had a 'perfect cutter' in my carry-on a few days ago. No problem. Also had 16 cigars in the bag in a little traveldor briefcase and also had a Get-a-Grip clip. But.. no lighter. I can pick up a vacation lighter anywhere.
dharbolt Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
you guys getting soft.

no waffles or pancakes?
no camping?
no long walks in the park?


Hello new guy. all of your questions can be answered here

http://www.cigarbid.com/...hallenge-The-Thonginator
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
Dharbot....yeah I've already seen all of that stuff, and must admit.....that's good stuff!
Bur Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
d'oh!

But don't dog on the Thonginator about being an Ole Miss fan, or he'll assign himself as your vet and keel you.

And I forgot, ask to herf on Tiger's lawn. He loves N00bs rolling around on his grass smoking pre-cut Victor Sinclairs.
reckless Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 11-07-2013
Posts: 3,852
Stainlessdoctor wrote:
I'm going to give the coolidor a go and see what happens, I ordered some beads today and a hydrometer (what are we looking for 67-70 range?) and sometimes I'm gone a couple weeks at a time, so what's thoughts for travel storage? And lighter and cutter on airline carry on is out I'm sure...so maybe in my checked bag??

Cutters are allowed and so are regular Bic (non-butane/jet) lighters.
danmdevries Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Join the noob pib, great trade thread to learn a bunch of noob cigars.

I never really progressed very far beyond the "noob cigars" because I'm a cheapass. But there are TONS of excellent smokes at $3/ea (and some under) and even more at the $5 point. Stick to cheap decent cigars, acclimate to proper smoking conditions and go from there. Buy samplers, but not the cheap ones.. Well.. some of the cheap ones. Avoid cheap Gurkhas. Avoid Gurkhas period. Don't think that because a cigar is $$$$ it's great, especially if you're just starting out, you're not going to be able to discern what makes that cigar so pricey.

There's a lot of experimentation and trial and error until you figure out what works for you and your environment. Where I live, it's extremely humid from May through September and I need to smoke my cigars dry from the box due to ambient humidity. So I keep a "dry box" which is just a cheap leaky humidor with a couple 65% Bovedas that keep it around 62%. The colder months are of course much drier, and I can smoke straight from the humidor without a two week dry time. This took me about a year to sort out.

Your tastes will change. Personally, I started cigars with ACIDs. I quit cigarettes in '07 but picked up an ACID cigar in 2011 when I found out a local shpo was owned by a guy I knew through a local gun forum. I stopped in to meet/chat with him and smoked a cigar. I enjoyed it very much. Over the next two years I bought mostly ACID cigars, maybe 5-6 a year. Went to an event at the shpo for La Gloria Cubana and smoked two cigars that night. Don't remember what they were, but I do remember being unimpressed, especially after spending $25 on them. But then I started looking at cigar reviews, cigar forums and the like and trying to learn how to taste and enjoy a proper cigar. I pretty much stopped buying infused cigars at that point and started exploring different cigars.

I made the common mistake of buying large quantities early on. Luckily these were mostly large samplers and from them, I found a handful of smokes I enjoyed. But, another year later, many of those that I really liked, I no longer have any interest in smoking. Personally, I moved from an early obsession with full flavor full strength cigars to a preference for mild/mild or mild/medium. There's probably 100 cigars in my humidors that I'll never smoke myself, but keep to trade/give away.

Start with excessive storage if you really think you're going to get into this. I started with tupperdors. I had two large ones, about 50 cigar total capacity and quickly filled them. Would honestly be enough if I wasn't the type of person to jump in head first into any new interest/hobby. I built two "hybrid humidors" which are watertight shipping cases with Spanish cedar boxes built internally, along with two cheapass Chinese humidors and one quality desktop humidor and I'm a little more than halfway full.

Bovedas or Heartfelt beads only. Ignore everything else. /story

Overall, It's a whole world to explore, get started and we'll help you along the way.
TMCTLT Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 11-22-2007
Posts: 19,733
Welcome to the Neighborhood Doc Beer
Mandoman Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 12-27-2005
Posts: 4,761
Just a couple items. As was said above, a 10 or 15 count travel humi is fine for a week long trip, or even 2 weeks. If you're going to be gone longer, a large ziploc bag with a boveda or water pillow works well. Also, if you know where you're going to be, and you'll be there awhile, you can always have cigars mailed there. I keep a punch cutter on my keyring and never had a problem in an airport.

Lastly, try everything. Many here tear Gurkhas down. Another brand that garners lots of hate is Puros Indios. Try them and decide for yourself. Don't let someone else make up your mind.
This is a hobby. It is also a journey. Your tastes will change with time and experience and some favorites will be discontinued and there will always be new manufacturers and blends.

Enjoy.
Bur Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
Mandoman wrote:
...... Another brand that garners lots of hate is Puros Indios. Try them and decide for yourself. Don't let someone else make up your mind.


Shame on you

Tell him Puros Indios inhale forcibly. Or he'll bid them up on us.

bwahahaha

Backstory: I guess it's situation based, cause I was at the Counter-IED Task Force in Bagram hanging with some buddies in 2012 playing hooky from my usual desk job around too many intel types. After a good day with fellow EOD techs and forensics scientist we had a great herf and I ashed a Puros Indios that was excellent. One of the two best $1 cigars I've had ever.

Moral for all the newbs: Good company and atmosphere helps any cigar, being pizzed off and not letting it go can ruin a Padron Anniversary or the best Fuente etc.
cacman Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
Enjoy the madness!
Buy whatever you smoke, even if it is DE products, don't put the same stuff your cat pisses on in your humi. We don't need any more of that sh|t!
And refrain from bidding on any Tats!

Good luck.
Buckwheat Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 04-15-2004
Posts: 12,251
Stainlessdoctor wrote:
I hear ya, every where I look I see Cohiba this bad Cohiba that...what's up with that?


Cuban Cohibas = Expensive & mostly good with a bit of age on them
Non Cuban Cohibas = Why bother as they are as expensive as the Cuban Cohibas

YMMV

Some good advice on the samplers and trust what you think is good and not some idiot like me. Herfing
99cobra2881 Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
If you are winning almost all your auctions, you are overbidding or buying chit. Buying chit is part of being a noob so don't worry too much about it.

Hey for me it was a Gurkha viper 5er for $7. I say these suck something fierce but the next guy probably loves em. There were some that sucked and some I can't believe they sell so cheap on here.

Only one way for you to find out!!!

I've sniped cigars at the last second but here lately I just put in stupid lowball bids. I win one every now and then, more so I enjoy watching what the stogies sell for. It isn't like I gotta have any of them. I don't have cooleradors full but I got enough to last me a very long time.

Also YouTube retrohale if you ain't doing it you're missing out on many hidden flavors and subtle nuances that your tongue alone will over look.
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
Thanks for all the replies and input, I'm looking forward to really getting into this, my problem is I'm definitely an ALL in kinda guy so we shall see....
delta1 Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,754
Welcome to the madhouse. It's not too late to .........RUN!!!!!
Palama Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
If it's too late to run, then definitely cut up all of your credit cards!
DrMaddVibe Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,301
OMG...will someone shut the barn door already!
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
Well...successfully made the run to purchase smokes, we shall see. You wanna see what I ended up with so you can critique! You know you do....
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
Drew estate UZI
Perdomo reserve EPI
Tatuaje tattoo caba
Rocky Patel vintage
Perdomo 10th anniv

That's what I got to start off with. Right, wrong or indifferent it is what it is.
robertsccr5 Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 09-13-2012
Posts: 2,314
Stainlessdoctor wrote:
Drew estate UZI
Perdomo reserve EPI
Tatuaje tattoo caba
Rocky Patel vintage
Perdomo 10th anniv

That's what I got to start off with. Right, wrong or indifferent it is what it is.


Not a bad start at all.
Bur Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
Crap
Crap
Crap
Crap and
More Crap

Send it all to me. I've had the DE Uzi, Perdomo's and a Rocky Patel Vintage second. I like them but I'm sure you'll hate them, so send them along.

Sarcasm

Good start, probably variety of price points. Don't be afraid of seconds either-I scored some AB seconds that they won't say what they are but by matching size to the line scored Tempus Lanceros for way cheap. Can't find an issue with them compared to my other ABs.
wheelrite Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 11-01-2006
Posts: 50,119
Stainlessdoctor wrote:
Drew estate UZI
Perdomo reserve EPI
Tatuaje tattoo caba
Rocky Patel vintage
Perdomo 10th anniv

That's what I got to start off with. Right, wrong or indifferent it is what it is.


Those are crap...

Post a pic of you're hottie, wife, girlfriend. sister or mom and maybe you can get some good cigar advice !


btw,
watch out for Jade, he's Queer..

whip

welcome


wheel,,




wheel
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
I did enjoy the Rocky Patel vintage 1990! any suggestion for "like kind" smokes?
cacman Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
Stainlessdoctor wrote:
I did enjoy the Rocky Patel vintage 1990! any suggestion for "like kind" smokes?

There's nothing like a Rocky! d'oh!
sd72 Offline
#45 Posted:
Joined: 03-09-2011
Posts: 9,600
If you liked the RP 90, try a tat Fausto.

If you like the RP 92, try a tat Cohete.
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#46 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
will do....I will pick those up and check em' out.

Thanks!
tonygraz Offline
#47 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,175
In order to more clearly zero in on your palate we need to know whether you prefer pancakes or waffles ?
shaun341 Offline
#48 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
sd72 wrote:
If you liked the RP 90, try a tat Fausto.

If you like the RP 92, try a tat Cohete.



Those be hard to get until next year now.
robertsccr5 Offline
#49 Posted:
Joined: 09-13-2012
Posts: 2,314
tonygraz wrote:
In order to more clearly zero in on your palate we need to know THAT YOU LOVE CREPES, LIKE ME!?


Tony, you're right!
Stainlessdoctor Offline
#50 Posted:
Joined: 10-04-2014
Posts: 24
In order to more clearly zero in on your palate we need to know whether you prefer pancakes or waffles ?


ahhhhhhh.....im going with steak and eggs!
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